Education

Master of Education, Guidance and CounsellingUniversity of Western Ontario, London, Canada, 1987

Bachelor of EducationUniversity of Western Ontario, 1978

Bachelor of Arts, PsychologyUniversity of Western Ontario, 1977

Research Interests

Sustainable Happiness: This is a concept I developed in order to merge the best elements of happiness studies with sustainability. My aim is to assist individuals, organizations, and governments to understand the link between our pursuit of happiness and sustainability.

Living Schools: Exploring how a vision of well-being for all is being realized in schools that integrate sustainability education, new pedagogies, outdoor learning, and much more. These pockets of excellence suggest that Living Schools contribute to student and staff well-being.

Sustainable Food: Our production and consumption of food is interconnected with human and environmental health and well-being. From the United Nations, to environmental activists, and the EAT-Lancet Commission, we know that our relationship with food impacts climate change, energy and water usage, sustainable lifestyles, food security, equity, and much more. It is the quintessential focus for climate action and well-being for all. My aim is to capture the hopeful stories of transformation that are part of a new global narrative around sustainable food as cities embrace edible landscapes, schools plant gardens and connect with farms, and individuals are making healthier, more sustainable food choices.

Presentations

Living Schools and Sustainable Happiness, Keynote at the 2019 Living Schools Symposium, Concordia University, Montreal

How Living Schools are supporting well-being for all, Keynote at the Health, Wellness & Sustainability conference, University of Toronto, January, 2018

Sustainable Happiness: How your happiness and well-being are intertwined with sustainability, Keynote, Environmental Education conference, University of Ontario Institute of Technology, January 2018

Sustainable happiness and well-being for all. Sustainability Alliance of New Brunswick, November, 2017.

O’Brien, C., & Gilbert, R. (2010). Child and Youth Friendly Land Use and Transport Planning Guidelines (Nova Scotia) Centre for Sustainable Transportation. University of Winnipeg. www.kidsonthemove.ca (Guidelines are available for every province)

O’Brien, C. (2008). Sustainable happiness: How happiness studies can contribute to a more sustainable future. Canadian Psychology, Vol 49, No 4, 289-295.